CONGRATULATIONS: 5 WTA players to win both Australian Open & US Open on hardcourts in same season in the Open Era ft. Aryna Sabalenka, Steffi Graf

Aryna Sabalenka has created history after winning her first US Open title, defeating Jessica Pegula in front of the latter’s home crowd 7-5, 7-5 at the legendary Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka had a dominant showing at Flushing Meadows this year, losing just one set in her campaign.

She is only the fifth player in Open Era history to win both hard court Slams, the Australian Open and the US Open, in the same calendar year.

Sabalenka had made quite a few deep runs at the Slams, reaching semifinals in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, she won the Australian Open, reached the final of the US Open, and the semifinals of Wimbledon and the French Open. She has etched her name alongside some of the game’s greatest-ever players by winning the Australian Open and the US Open in the same season during the Open Era.

On that note, let’s look at the players who have achieved this feat, including the Belarusian.

#5 Steffi Graf in 1988 and 1989

Often considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Steffi Graf achieved this feat of winning at Melbourne and New York twice in her career, in 1988 and in 1989. In 1988, she defeated Chris Evert at the Australian Open and Gabriela Sabatini at the US Open finals, respectively. The next year, Graf beat Helena Suková and Martina Navratilova for the Australian Open and US Open titles, respectively.

Graf retired in 1999 after winning her last French Open title and holds the record for the longest World No.1 ranking, having held it for over 377 weeks.

With 22 Grand Slam titles to her name and being one of tennis’ first ever Global Icons, Graf won the ” calendar Golden Slam” in 1988 when she won all four Slams as well as the gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This unbelievable feat has yet to be achieved by any player in either the men’s or the women’s category, marking her into a league of her own.

#4 Monica Seles in 1991 and 1992

Monica Seles won the US Open and the Australian Open in the same season twice in her career, in 1991 and 1992. IN 199, Seles beat Jana Novotna and Martina Navratilova at the Australian Open and US Open finals, respectively. The next year, Mary Joe Fernández in Melbourne and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in New York fell to her in the finals.

In 1990, she became the youngest French Open champion at just 16 years of age. Between 1991 and 1993, Seles won eight Grand Slam titles and was one of Steffi Graf’s arch-rivals.

Her career was halted due to a tragic incident in 1993 when she was stabbed by a court invader, but her fearlessness and fierceness, as well as her distinct playstyle, revolutionized the women’s game. She retired in 2008, having won nine Grand Slams.

#3 Martina Hingis in 1997

Martina Hingis turned pro at just 14 and won her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open at 16 in 1997. That year, she also won the US Open and Wimbledon and was the runner-up at Roland Garros, leaving her one victory away from a Calendar Slam. During that season, she was World No.1 for 209 weeks, when she was almost unbeatable before injuries halted her consistency.

Hingis defeated Mary Pierce at the Australian Open final and Venus Williams at the US Open to make her name on this list.

Hingis was considered one of the game’s most intelligent players due to her strategic play. Following two comebacks from retirements, she finally retired from the game in 2017 after capturing 25 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

#2 Angelique Kerber in 2016

In 2016, Kerber had an incredibly successful year, winning the Australian Open, defeating Serena Williams, and then at Flushing Meadows, ending the season as the World No.1, when she was also the runner-up at the WTA Tour Finals and the Rio Olympics. She had defeated Karolína Plíšková in the US Open finals in a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Kerber was known for her solid defense and counterpunching ability, forcing her opponents into errors. Kerber recently announced her retirement from the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics and won her last title at Wimbledon 2018, defeating Serena Williams.

#1 Aryna Sabalenka in 2024

Aryna Sabalenka has etched her name alongside some legendary players after defeating United States’ Jessica Pegula in straight sets and winning her third Grand Slam title. Sabalenka won the Australian Open last year, and this year the Belarusian has been in a league of her own.

Sabalenka’s strong baseline play and powerful shots proved too aggressive for Pegula, who couldn’t find any loopholes in her game. Sabalenka’s domination was visible as she hit 40 winners in the game compared to Pegula’s 17.

She defeated Qinwen Zhang at the Australian Open in January 6-3 6-2 in a match that lasted just over an hour. Sabalenka has six major career titles and would be looking to build upon this form and challenge for the next Slam.